John Ashton, famous for playing Detective John Taggart in the “Beverly Hills Cop” movies, has sadly passed away at the age of 76. Now, his family has a special request.
Keep reading to learn more.
John Ashton died peacefully in Ft. Collins, Colorado, this past Thursday. His family and friends are heartbroken over his loss.
He passed away after bravely fighting cancer, according to his representative, Alan Somers. Somers shared that Ashton’s legacy is one of “love, dedication, and service,” and his family will continue to celebrate his life. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, siblings, and more.
To honor the late actor’s life and legacy, the family is asking for donations to be made to Pathways Hospice Care in his memory.
Ashton was a well-known name in Hollywood for over 50 years, lighting up screens with more than 200 film, TV, and stage performances. While fans loved many of his roles, it was his portrayal of the straight-laced detective alongside Eddie Murphy’s wild cop character, Axel Foley, that made him a household name.
Ashton’s character, Detective Billy Rosewood, provided the perfect contrast to his co-star’s character, adding energy and humor to the films.
The film was a major success and established Ashton’s name in Hollywood. In July of this year, “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” premiered. In an interview, Ashton revealed that the film had taken 20 years to make before finally being released.
He mentioned there was a lot of uncertainty surrounding the film, to the point that he had given up on the idea and moved on to other projects. By the time he received a call about the film, he was already working on another project in Chicago.
After finishing his film, he went to L.A. to meet director Mark Molloy. Ashton knew that the film could only move forward if Murphy approved the script.
He said he knew he could fully commit to the project when Murphy greenlit the script and Jerry Bruckheimer joined as a producer.
In addition to his iconic role in “Beverly Hills Cop,” Ashton also had notable appearances in the show “M*A*S*H” and played Eric Stoltz’s father in the John Hughes comedy-drama “Some Kind of Wonderful.”
He started his career at a young age, with his first professional role in a production of “Othello” at the Hartford Stage Company. He later toured the world in various theater productions.
Ashton received great recognition for his acting, including an LA Method Fest award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in “Once Upon a River.”
He also appeared in several films, including “Death in Texas” (2020), “American Christmas” (2019), and “My Little Baby” (2019), among others.
Beyond his career, he was a devoted family man. He leaves behind his wife of 24 years, Robin Hoye, and his children, Michelle and Michael Thomas Ashton.
He is also survived by his stepchildren, Courtney Donovan, Lindsay Curcio, and Ashley Hoye, as well as his grandson Henry, his sisters Sharon Ann Ashton and Linda Jean Ashton, and his brother Edward Richard Ashton.
For Two Years, I Hid from My Parents That I Have a Son – Yesterday, They Accidentally Found Out
My parents weren’t a part of my life for several years, and when they came back into it, they left me shaken! They unraveled a truth I didn’t know I needed to learn, and while it caused more of a rift, it ultimately brought all those involved closer.
Sometimes life throws blows that we don’t understand, and that’s the case in my story. One day, some people quite dear to me reentered my life with the most difficult news. What they told me altered my relationship with them and my young son forever. Read on to find out more.
It was a Saturday afternoon, the kind that begged for relaxation. I was home with my two-year-old son, Ethan, enjoying the rare quiet moments when the doorbell rang. My heart skipped a beat. I wasn’t expecting anyone.
As I opened the door, my parents stood there, their expressions a mix of surprise and confusion. For two years, we didn’t see each other at all. We talked occasionally, but those conversations were very tense.
“Mom, Dad, what are you doing here?” I asked, trying to mask my anxiety as my parents made an unannounced visit.
“We were in the neighborhood and thought we’d drop by,” my mom said, her eyes widening as she noticed Ethan in my arms.
You should’ve seen my dad’s face when he saw me holding my son. He turned a shade of pale I’d never seen before. “Who’s this?” my mother demanded, pointing at Ethan.
“This is my son and your grandchild, Ethan,” I replied, my voice trembling.
The first thing my father said, his voice rising, was, “This is not your child! I see it right away!” His words hit me like a truck. I was stunned.
“Of course he is! What are you talking about?” I shot back, feeling a wave of defensiveness wash over me.
“We need to sit down and talk,” my mom interjected, her voice calmer but equally firm. We moved to the kitchen, Ethan clinging to my side. Sitting around the kitchen table, the air was thick with tension.
I took a deep breath and began, “I was 19 when I found out Kate was pregnant.” I continued, “It would’ve been fine, but you both made it clear how much you were totally against her.”
“I knew you’d never accept our relationship, and I loved her very much, so I didn’t tell you about the pregnancy.”
“What?” my father muttered under his breath.
“I went against your wishes and stayed with Kate. That’s why over the years I’ve drifted away from you.” Sighing, I explained, “I became a single father at age 19.”
“You should have told us,” my dad said, frustration etched into his features. “We could have helped.”
Years later, when Ethan was old enough to understand, I told him the truth. It was a difficult conversation, but it brought us even closer. He knew that despite everything, I had chosen to be his father, and that choice was rooted in love.
My relationship with my parents remained strained for a while, but they eventually came to accept my decision. They saw the bond between Ethan and me and realized that family is defined by love. Plus, they weren’t willing to lose me and their grandchild for another few years.
Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. The journey was tough, but it taught me the true meaning of parenthood. Ethan and I faced many challenges, but we faced them together. And in the end, that’s all that mattered.
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